Tryouts

INFORMATION FOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS 

ALL ATHLETES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE NURSE THROUGH FAMILY ID BEFORE TRYOUTS BEGIN

FAMILY ID INFORMATION / HEALTH FORMS / IMPACT TESTING

REGISTER VIA FAMILY ID

The Family ID System for fall sports opens near the end of July.  All athletes must be registered through Family ID.  The Athletics Department uses the Family ID online platform for registration and for students to provide health documentation.  When you register through the secure Family ID system, it keeps track of your information in your Family ID profile.  You only need to enter your information once for each family member for multiple uses and multiple programs. 

www.niskayunaschools.org/athletics/familyid-online-registration-platform-for-athletics/ 

PHYSICAL FORM 

A current physical must be on file with the nurse’s office. A current physical is one that has been completed within 12 months of the month that the sport starts. Physicals are submitted through FamilyID. 

*Important note: During the summer, paperwork for all student-athletes in grades 7-12 should be submitted to the Niskayuna HS Nurse’s Office, either in-person or via U.S. Mail (1626 Balltown Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309). During the school year, paperwork for middle school students should be submitted to the nurse at their respective school. 

IMPACT TESTING

Prior to tryouts, you must complete the district required concussion baseline for IMPACT Testing.  This is a computer based test that can be completed at home.  You will need a computer mouse for it.  This is required for any incoming 7th, 9th or 11th grade athletes and those who have never taken it before.  This also needs to be completed before tyrouts.  A link to this computer based testing will be sent to all coaches during the summer and we will forward the link once you are registered through the Family ID system.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

www.niskayunaschools.org/athletics/participation-requirements/ 

TRYOUT INFORMATION

Student interest in the girls' volleyball program has been growing, and there are now greater tryout numbers than what the program can support.  This means we must hold a 'traditional tryout' and everyone who attends tryouts may not make a team.

Before tryouts, students must complete their medical information through Niskayuna's Family ID System.  They must also attach their most recent health physical form from their pediatrician.  The school nurses need to approve the medical information prior to tryouts or athletes will not be allowed to tryout.  It is suggested that the Family ID System information be completed at the beginning of August.  This will allow time for the nurses to review it.  The date from your most recent physical must be between the dates of  August 18, 2025 - August 19, 2026 otherwise the nurses will not approve participation in tryouts.

If physical forms or Family ID information is submitted last minute, students may not be approved in time before tryouts begin.

For incoming 9th graders and 7th/8th graders invited to high school tryouts, Freshmen Team tryouts will be August 18-20 at Niskayuna High School.  Modified Team tryouts will be September 2 - 4 at Iroquois Middle School.  It is important that athletes attend all three days of tryouts and stay for the duration of each tryout.  It is expected that athletes arrive 15 - 30 minutes before tryouts begin to help with equipment setup.  Shoes and kneepads should be on before practice begins and they should allow themselves a few minutes to warm up.  Any changes to schedules will be announced ASAP.

Monday, August 18 - Wednesday, August 20

V/JV/Freshmen - 7:30 - 11:00am

Varsity tryouts times:**VARSITY CANDIDATES ONLY WILL ATTEND DOUBLE SESSIONS**

                     Monday August 18th– 7:30am-10am & 4pm-5:30pm

                     Tuesday August 19th – 8am-10am & 4pm-5:30pm

                     Wednesday August 20th – 8am-10:00am & 4pm-5:30pm

The Varsity team selection will occur on 8/20. It is TBD if this will be after the morning or afternoon session.

JV & Freshman tryout times:  

                     Monday August 18th – 7:30am-11am

 Tuesday August 19th – 9am-11am

          Wednesday August 20th – 9am-11am

High School tryouts will end at 10:30am on Wednesday 8/20 to allow for the coaches to meet with each player. Please be prepared that parents/players may wait from 10:30-11:00am depending upon when players meet with the coaches 

At high school tryouts, all athletes are expected to run a timed mile.  The mile is not completed during modified tryouts.  

JV/Freshmen Tryouts will end on Wednesday at 10:30 to allow for coaches to meet with each player.  Please be prepared that parents may wait from 10:30 - 11:00 depending on when their athlete meets with the coaches.  Team practices will begin on Thursday, August 21.  Specific team schedules will be handed out once teams have been selected.

Modified tryouts will be held during the week of September 2 - 4 from 3:30 - 5:30 at Iroquois Middle School.  It is important that you attend all three days of tryouts. Team practices will begin on September 5, 2025 from 3:30 - 5:30.

ITEMS TO BRING TO TRYOUTS

• Sneakers, running sneakers and court sneakers

• Practice clothes

• Knee pads

• Water bottle

• Snack

• Inhaler, EpiPen, brace, etc... (If needed)

TIPS TO IMPRESS  COACHES AT TRYOUTS

• Be kind, respectful and encourage others

• Ask coaches questions if you are confused or need help with a drill or skill

• Hustle through drills and transitions between drills

• Be helpful in picking up volleyballs and setting up/cleaning up nets

• Listen and apply feedback from coaches the best you can

• Be vocal in the court

• Try your best

• Have fun

TEAM INFORMATION

If you get invited to participate on a modified or high school level team, the season will run from the end of August through the end of October.  Practices will begin the day after tryouts have ended.  

Junior Varsity athletes are expected to attend and work all Varsity matches during the post season.  Post season runs from late October through mid November.  Details will be reviewed with the JV team in the fall.

Once teams are selected, a parents meeting is held for all high school teams.  Attendance is mandatory for at least one parent/guardian for each player.  Coaches will be introduced at this meeting.  Information on the season and expectations will also be discussed at this meeting.

PRACTICE TIMES AND SEASON INFORMATION

Modified practices typically run Monday - Friday from 3:30 - 5:30pm.  Modified practices and home games are held at Iroquois Middle School.

Freshmen and JV practices typically run Monday through Friday each week from 3:30 - 5:30 and are held at the high school.  JV may have practices throughout the season from 5:30 -7:30.  Saturday practices and tournaments will be announced on the schedule in the fall.  Typically, the Modified and Freshmen Teams do not have practices or tournaments on Saturdays.

Varsity practices typically run Monday through Friday each week from 5:30 - 7:30 and are held at the high school.  Varsity will practice on Saturdays when they do not have a tournament scheduled.  Typically, practices begin at 8:00 and 3 - 5 tournaments are usually scheduled.

There are shuttle buses that students can take to the high school of they do not attend the high school.  Parents must pick athletes up from their designated practice location.

Games typically occur 3 - 5 times per week.  There are buses that transport athletes to and from away games.  JV players attend all Varsity games and will ride the bus home with their team.  Varsity players are required to ride the bus home as well.

Team members will be given a jersey to wear that needs to be returned at the end of the season.  The student must purchase black spandex or shorts without large logos for the bottoms of the uniform.

It is expected that you attend all practices/games unless you are absent from school, injured, have a doctor's appointment after school or are meeting with a teacher for extra help.  If you are absent from school, you are ineligible to attend practices or games on the day you are absent.  It is the players responsibility to communicate with their coach if they will not be at practice.  It is not their teammates responsibility to tell the coach if teammates are absent from school or have an appointment.

The concessions tand at home games is run by JV and Varsity parents.  Parents sign up for dates/times once teams are selected.  JV parents work during Varsity games and Varsity parents work during JV games.  More details on this will be reviewed at the parents meeting after teams are selected.

Our girls volleyball program will run an additional fundraiser and have an apparel store.  Full fundraising details will be discussed once teams are finalized.  We have been successful in the past with fundraising and it is very important to help support the program.